Steve Barrow, a respected British musicologist who wrote liner notes for the acclaimed box set, Tougher Than Tough: The Story Of Jamaican Music, died in the United Kingdom on May 30 at age 80.

His death has been covered extensively by UK media, which consistently acknowledged his voluminous writing, covering the history of Jamaican music. Barrow also worked in promotions for companies such as Trojan, Island and Blood And Fire Records.

He co-founded the latter in 1993 with Mick Hucknall, lead singer of pop group Simply Red. That year also saw the release of the Island Records-produced Tougher Than Tough. Barrow’s comprehensive liner notes for that project was widely praised by reggae aficionados.